While choosing career paths, a lot of times we’re told that do what drives you, however, most of us end up becoming engineers, doctors, and managers. 

But have we ever thought of becoming a chai-walla? Or A successful coffee maker? If no, then it’s about time that we do. 

Meet the 26-year-old Uppma Virdi, a successful Indian-Australian lawyer, who is now Australia’s Businesswoman of the Year. 

She was awarded at the 2016 Indian Australian Business and Community Awards (IABCA) at a glittering ceremony in Sydney last week.

Not only a founder this amazing 'Chai Walli', Virdi is also a famous community and business leader. And it is only her passion for Indian tea that made her a successful businesswoman in Australia.

“In the Indian culture people come together through tea. Whether it’s a happy occasion or a difficult moment, tea is all pervasive. I tried, but couldn’t find many good tea places in Australia." said Virdi to SBS.

The auspicious journey started nearly two years ago when Virdi sought something exciting while doing her day job at a law firm. That's when she gave her ‘tea-business’ a shot. 

Her passion for teas goes down to her roots, from her grandfather, a doctor specialising in herbs and spices. 

“My grandfather is an Ayurvedic doctor and he used to make this Ayurvedic tea at his medical dispensary. He taught me the art of Ayurvedic tea." 

Fast forward few days, and Virdi began to sell teas via her online store. And so, after a lot of hard-work, marketing, social-media campaign, networking and good teas, Virdi bagged this prestigious award.

“My real aim is to educate the Australian society about the Indian culture through tea,” she says. 

Uppma also runs “The art of Chai” workshops to teach people how to brew the perfect chai.

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